OBJECTIVE: To measure and analyze the relationships among the posterior tibial slope (PTS), meniscal slope (MS), and meniscus posterior horn thickness (MPHT) of the medial and lateral tibial plateau in healthy people and patients with anteromedial osteoarthritis (AMOA) in Heilongjiang province, so as to provide reference basis for appropriate tibial osteotomy and prosthesis placement angles in knee joint surgeries. METHODS: A retrospective collection of imaging data from knee joint MRI examinations conducted prior to AMOA for various reasons was performed. A total of 103 healthy individuals (healthy group) and 30 AMOA patients (AMOA group) were included. There was no significant difference in the gender composition ratio, side, and body mass index between the two groups ( P>0.05); however, the comparison of ages between the two groups showed a significant difference ( P<0.05). The collected DICOM format image data was imported into the RadiAnt DICOM Viewer software and measured the medial PTS (MPTS), lateral PTS (LPTS), medial MS (MMS), lateral MS (LMS), medial MPHT (MMPHT), and lateral MPHT (LMPHT) with standard methods. The differences of the above indexes between the two groups and between different genders and sides in the two groups were compared, and Pearson correlation analysis was carried out. At the same time, the measured data of healthy group were compared with the relevant literature reported in the past. RESULTS: Compared to the healthy group, the AMOA group exhibited significantly smaller MPTS and LPTS, as well as significantly greater MMPHT and LMPHT, with significant differences ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the MMS and LMS between the two groups ( P>0.05). The differences in various indicators between genders and sides within the two groups were not significant ( P>0.05). The correlation analysis and regression curves indicated that both MPTS and LPTS in the two groups were positively correlated with their respective ipsilateral MS and MPHT ( P<0.05); as PTS increased, the rate of increase in MS and MPHT tend to plateau. Compared to previous related studies, the MPTS and LPTS measured in healthy group were comparable to those of the Turkish population, exhibiting smaller values than those reported in other studies, while MMS and LMS were relatively larger, and MMPHT and LMPHT were smaller. CONCLUSION In healthy people and AMOA patients in Heilongjiang province, PTS has great individual differences, but there is no significant individual difference in MS. MPHT can play a certain role in retroversion compensation, and its thickness increase may be used as one of the indicators to predict the progression of AMOA. The above factors should be taken into account when UKA is performed, and the posterior tilt angle of tibial osteotomy should be set reasonably after preoperative examination and evaluation.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibia/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Menisci, Tibial/anatomy & histology* ; China ; Knee Joint/pathology* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Osteotomy

To construct stress-responsive promoters, we mined the transcriptome data of the industrial strain A223 under stress. The transcription factor CIN5 showed significantly increased expression under stress but exhibited limited resistance. Further analysis of CIN5-interacting genes revealed that the binding motif "TTACGTAATC" (named CIN5BS) of CIN5 displayed transcription-enhancing activity. Four artificially enhanced promoters TCIN5B(3-6) were created by insertion of CIN5BS as a cis-element into different sites of the promoter TEF1, achieving 15.25-fold transcriptional enhancement. Five cis-elements (CIN5B4-1-CIN5B4-5) were designed through G+C content optimization, generating five stronger artificially enhanced promoters (TCIN5B4-1-TCIN5B4-5). For example, TCIN5B4-1 demonstrated 4.71 times higher transcriptional activity than the control at 37 ℃. This study established a technical framework of transcription factor mining-cis-element design-promoter reconstruction, providing a reference strategy for yeast cell factories to stably produce natural compounds under high-temperature stress conditions.
Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics* ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/genetics*

AIM:To investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)in arecoline(ANE)-induced oral submucous fibrosis,and to analyze the effect of PNS on nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/glu-tamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit(GCLC)signaling pathway.METHODS:CCK-8 assay was used to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of PNS and arecoline on the survival rate of human immortalized keratinocyte cell line Ha-CaT.The results of CCK-8 were used to select 75 mg/L arecoline,and 25,50 and 100 mg/L PNS as subsequent experi-mental concentrations.The cells were set as blank control group,model group,and low,medium and high doses(25,50 and 100 mg/L)of PNS groups.The protein and mRNA expressions of collagen type I(COL-I),E-cadherin,Nrf2,GCLC and glutathione reductase(GR)in each group were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR.Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the entry of Nrf2 into the nucleus.Biochemical kits were used to detect the content of glutathione(GSH),nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)and malondialdehyde(MDA),and superoxide dis-mutase(SOD)activity in each group of cells.DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to detect the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS).RESULTS:Compared with the blank control group,the protein and mRNA expression of COL-I in the model group was up-regulated,and the protein and mRNA levels of E-cadherin,Nrf2,GCLC,nuclear Nrf2 and GR were down-regulated.The content of NADPH,MDA and ROS in the cells increased,and the content of GSH and the activity of SOD was significantly reduced.Compared with the model group,the protein and mRNA expression of COL-I was down-regulated,and the protein and mRNA expression of E-cadherin,Nrf2,GCLC,nuclear Nrf2 and GR were up-regulated in PNS 50 and 100 mg/L groups.Compared with the model group,the content of NADPH,MDA and ROS in cells decreased,and the content of GSH and the activity of SOD was significantly enhanced(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CON-CLUSION:Panax notoginseng saponins have anti-fibrosis effects in HaCaT cells,and their mechanism may be related to the activation of Nrf2/GCLC signaling pathway,thereby resisting oxidative stress and improving oral submucosal fibrosis.

ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of Tongguan Capsule（通冠胶囊）on ventricular remodeling in patients after acute myocardial infarction （AMI）， and to explore the possible mechanism. MethodsA total of 53 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） patients were collected and randomly divided into 26 cases in the treatment group and 27 cases in the control group. The control group was given conventional therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） for AMI， and the treatment group was given Tongguan Capsules （4.5 g each time， 3 times a day） on the basis of the control group. The course of treatment was 12 weeks. Echocardiographic data and stool samples were collected from subjects before and after the intervention， and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， left ventricular end-diastolic volume index （LVEDVi）， left ventricular end-systolic volume index （LVESVi）， left ventricular mass index （LVMi） were measured and calculated， so as to compare the number of cases of left ventricular remodeling in the two groups. At the same time， 16S rDNA sequencing was performed on the stool samples to analyze the diversity of gut microbiota （GM）， the composition of the GM， the GM difference between the groups； recording the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events （MACEs） and adverse reactions of patients in the two groups during the study period； and performing Spearman's correlation analyses of the post-treatment flora data with LVEF， LVEDVi， LVESVi， LVM， and LVMi in the two groups. ResultsOne case fail to follow up in the treatment group and 2 cases fail to follow up in the control group， and 25 cases in each of the two groups were finally included in the analysis. LVEDVi， LVESVi， and LVMi of the control group after treatment were higher than those before treatment （P＜0.05）； after treatment， LVEDVi， LVESVi and LVMi in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group （P＜0.05）. Left ventricular remodeling occurred in 5 cases （20.00%） in the treatment group and 13 cases （52.00%） in the control group， and the incidence of left ventricular remodeling in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group （P=0.03）. After treatment， the ACE estimation and Chao estimation of bacterial abundance in the treatment group were higher than that before treatment and that in the control group （P＜0.05）. The treatment group showed an increase in Mycobacterium anisopliae phylum and a decrease in Mycobacterium thickum， Mycobacterium anisopliae phylum， and Mycobacterium patella phylum after treatment （P＜0.05）. When comparing between groups after treatment， the relative abundance of Prevotella， Agathobacter， Dialister， Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group was up-reuglated and the relative abundance of Enterococcus was down-regulated in the treatment group（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of MACEs and the occurrence of adverse reactions between groups during treatment （P＞0.05）. The results of correlation analysis showed that Prevotella were positively correlated with LVEF and negatively correlated with LVEDVi， LVESVi， LVM， and LVMi （P＜0.01）. Agathobacter group were negatively correlated with LVEDVi， LVESVi （P＜0.01）； Enterococcus group were positively correlated with LVESVi （P＜0.05）. ConclusionTongguan Capsules can improve ventricular remodeling in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with better safety； its mechanism may be related to adjusting the enrichment of related bacteria such as Prevotella， Dialister and Enterococcus and other related bacterial genera， increasing the colonization and diversity of beneficial bacteria， and adjusting the structure of GM.

Objective To evaluate the value of modified calcofluor white fluorescent staining in the histopathological diagnosis of subcutaneous mycosis,in order to provide a new method for histopathological diagnosis of subcutaneous mycosis.Methods A total of 21 lesional skin tissues were collected from patients with subcutaneous mycosis in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University between 1987 and 2017,and embedded in paraffin.Then,each paraffin-embedded tissue section was cut into 4 4-μm-thick serial sections,and subjected to modified calcofluor white fluorescent staining,hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining,periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining and Gomori methenamine silver nitrate (GMS) staining respectively.Positive rates and staining outcomes were compared among the above staining methods.Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 19.0 software by using chi-square test for comparing the positive rates among the above 4 staining methods.Results Of 21 patients with fungal infections,14 (66.67％) were positive for modified calcofluor white fluorescent staining,5 (23.80％) for HE staining,6 (28.57％) for PAS staining,and 11 (52.38％) for GMS staining.The positive rate by modified calcofluor white fluorescent staining was significantly higher than that by HE staining and PAS staining (x2 =6.718,5.200,respectively,both P ＜ 0.05),while no significant difference was observed between the modified calcofluor white fluorescent staining and GMS staining (x2 =0.693,P =0.530).Conclusion The modified calcofluor white fluorescent staining is an accurate method for detecting fungi,and has a certain application value in the histopathological diagnosis of subcutaneous mycosis.

Professor , as the famous and veteran physician of TCM, has practiced TCM for more than 50 years, and had unique experience for the treatment of encephalopathy. Professor applied the theory of skin to guide the treatment of shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke. On the basis of the ancient acupuncture method of , combined with modern acupuncture method and new materials, with characteristics of shoulder-hand syndrome after stroke at different time points, he proposed to use floating needling and acupoint catgut embedding to treat patients with stageⅠ, and to use picking therapy and penetration needle to treat patients with stageⅡ, and to use fire needles, penetration needle and acupoint catgut embedding to treat patients with stageⅢ, combined with conventional acupuncture and rehabilitation treatment. As a result, the superior efficacy was achieved.

Objective To investigate the MRI features of solitary fibrous tumors(SFT)in the spinal canal.Methods MRI images of 5 cases with pathologically proved STF in the spinal canal were analyzed retrospectively.Results Of 5 lesions,there were 2 in the cervical spine,3 in the thoracic spine;1 in the epidural space and 4 in the subdural extramedullary space.On MRI plain scan,3 lesions showed homogeneous iso-intense signal on T1WI and hypo-intense signal on T2WI,2 lesions showed heterogeneous signal,1 showed patchy hypo-intense signal on T1WI and T2WI at the upper edge of lesion,which had been confirmed as hemorrhage and the other lesion showed internal cystic variation.All of the 5 lesions enhanced on enhancement scan,with moderate enhancement in 2 lesions and significant enhancement in 3 lesions.Cystic and hemorrhagic area were not enhanced.The"dural tail sign"was showed in 3 cases.Conclusion The diagnosis of SFT should be considered when a lesion shows a localized solitary mass in the spinal canal with hypo-intense on T2WI and moderate to significant enhancement.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the temporal changes of serum interleukin-37 (IL-37) concentration following acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (ASTEMI) and the relationship between IL-37 and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with ASTEMI.

METHODSThis analysis was conducted in a cohort of 20 patients with an established diagnosis of ASTEMI and 26 patients admitted for chest pain but with normal findings in coronary angiography (control) between June 2012 and December 2013. Venous blood was collected at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after myocardial infarction for measurement of serum IL-37 and CRP levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the patients in ASTEMI group showed a significant acute elevation of IL-37 level on day 1 following myocardial infarction; IL-37 level reached the peak on day 3 and began to decrease on day 5, followed by a significant decrease on day 7. The time course of post-infarction CRP changes was consistent with that of IL-37 variations and showed a positive correlation the latter (r=0.63, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIL-37 may participate in the inflammatory responses in ASTEMI.

Objective To construct a new intubation method with an otoscope and establish a murine model of Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia with this method.Methods Part I:The Hallowell Intubation Pack for mice (Braintree Scientific Inc., USA)was used to construct a new intubation method with an otoscope.Part II:Twenty-four female ICR mice were randomized into 3 groups including control (group 1),immunosuppression (group 2)and infection after immunosuppression groups (group 3),with 8 mice in each group.The mice were treated with cyclophosphamide (CTX)by peritoneal injection to posterior orbital venous plexus.The total number of white blood cells,the number of neutrophils and the percentage of neutrophils were determined.Four mice were sacrificed at 0 h and 48 h after inoculation in each group.Then the lungs from each mouse were aseptically collected for quantitative culture and histopathology.Results Part I:Ten mice were successfully intubated using the new method and none of the mice was dead.Pulmonary bacterial culture at baseline (0 h)was (2.91×107-5.32×107 )CFU/g tissue,while the mean± standard deviation was (4.05 × 107 ± 0.82 × 107 )CFU/g tissue.The results showed that this new method had a perfect repeatability.Part II:Over 48 h,2 mice were dead in group 3,while no mouse was dead in other 2 groups.For group 3,the average pulmonary bacterial culture was 4.13×107 CFU/g tissue at 0 h and reached 3.62×1010 CFU/g tissue at 48 h (increased appropriate 1 000 times,P <0.01).The histopathologic changes in lung showed local granulomas and abscess in the alveolar space.Conclusions Intubation under the guidance of otoscope had the advantages of high repeatability and easy to operate.Additionally,the method provided stable and consistent bacterial inocula into lungs.The murine model of Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia was successfully established with a new intubation method under the guidance of otoscope.

Objective To investigate the temporal changes of serum interleukin-37 (IL-37) concentration following acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (ASTEMI) and the relationship between IL-37 and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with ASTEMI. Methods This analysis was conducted in a cohort of 20 patients with an established diagnosis of ASTEMI and 26 patients admitted for chest pain but with normal findings in coronary angiography (control) between June 2012 and December 2013. Venous blood was collected at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after myocardial infarction for measurement of serum IL-37 and CRP levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Compared with the control group, the patients in ASTEMI group showed a significant acute elevation of IL-37 level on day 1 following myocardial infarction; IL-37 level reached the peak on day 3 and began to decrease on day 5, followed by a significant decrease on day 7. The time course of post-infarction CRP changes was consistent with that of IL-37 variations and showed a positive correlation the latter (r=0.63, P<0.05). Conclusion IL-37 may participate in the inflammatory responses in ASTEMI.